Theme parks celebrate major holidays, like Halloween and Christmas but they also celebrate fake “holidays” like Star Wars Day, which is today… HAPPY MAY THE 4TH! And since many of these IP holidays fall during less busy times of year, that got us thinking…
With theme park crowds continuing to increase—especially during Halloween and the festive season—maybe it’s time to opt out of visiting during the holidays and focus on “holidays” instead. Sort of like an unbirthday situation.
Let’s take a look at fake theme park holidays, and let us know which ones you celebrate…
Star Wars Day
Fans can celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4—as in “May the 4th Be With You—by riding Star Wars-themed attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, including Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Galaxy’s Edge and Star Tours – The Adventures continue in Disneyland Park and Hollywood Studios (plus the limited-time Hyperspace Mountain at Disneyland).
But Disneyland is definitely the place to be for super fans as the Star Wars celebration extends over several weeks with Season of the Force (this year, from March 28 through May 11), with limited-time experiences, themed food and beverages, and special Season of the Force merch.
During Season of the Force, new or rare characters from the Star Wars universe often appear in Galaxy’s Edge. This year, it was Luke Skywalker who made his first-ever appearance in the land.
Batuu is often bustling with characters on Star Wars Day, so be on the lookout.
Plus, a brand new light and projection show about the Skywalker legacy debuted on March 28 for the Season of the Force celebration, but it will continue afterward.
For all the Season of the Force happenings, check out our guide:
Season of the Force 2025 Guide: All the Star Wars Food, Merch, and Galactic Fun at Disneyland
Life Day
If you can’t make it to the parks on May 4th, a second Star Wars holiday is celebrated on November 17th.
Life Day became part of pop culture in 1978 with the airing of the made-for-TV Star Wars Holiday Special, which told the story of Han Solo and Chewbacca returning to the Wookiee planet of Kashyyyk to celebrate Life Day with Chewie’s family, which included wearing red robes and visiting the Tree of Life.
Although Disneyland does not officially participate in Life Day, they do offer Life Day merch and Life Day-themed foods, which is enough to encourage Star Wars fans to gather on November 17 to party like a Wookiee.
Harry Potter Holidays
It’s always magical to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort—and the witches and wizards definitely go all out for Christmas—but other times of year are equally magical (and less packed with muggles).
Harry Potter super fans who visit Universal parks regularly may even want to spend their whole day in Hogsmeade and/or Diagon Alley on these wizarding world holidays. And when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic opens on May 22, 2025, at Universal Epic Universe in Florida, there will be a whole new place to celebrate.
Butterbeer Season: March through May
The most delicious of the IP holidays is definitely Butterbeer Season, which takes place from March through May at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort (this year March 1 through May 31, 2025).
The celebration of Harry Potter’s favorite wizarding beverage (which is described as a combination of butterscotch and short bread) is available year-round as frozen, cold, and hot drinks, fudge, ice cream, potted cream, and iced lollies (ice cream bars), but new limited-time Butterbeer items— like Butterbeer cream puffs and Butterbeer chocolate bars—are introduced just for Butterbeer season.
There’s also special limited-time Butterbeer Season merch available in the parks, including apparel, mugs, pins, and even more Butterbeer-flavored treats.
Did You Know? Butterbeer Season is also celebrated at the Warner Bros. Studio Tours in Hollywood, Tokyo, and London; Harry Potter Stores in London, New York, and Chicago; and at Harry Potter touring experiences.
Check out our guide to find out more about the sweetest holiday in the wizarding world:
It’s Butterbeer Season at Universal + A DIY Recipe for Home!
Harry Potter’s Birthday: July 31
After telling Harry he’s a wizard on his 11th birthday, Hagrid introduces “the boy who lived” to the magic of the wizarding world.
In Orlando, Harry Potter fans can faithfully recreate Harry’s 11th birthday experience by shopping for Hogwarts gear in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and then catching the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure—after passing through the wall at Platform 9 ¾, of course.
In both Hollywood and Orlando, witches and wizards can ride the family-friendly Flight of The Hippogriff outdoor coaster and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, where they can explore Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardly (including the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom) before heading “off campus” for a high-flying adventure with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Guests visiting Universal Orlando can also experience the thrilling Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Islands of Adventure and the Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts indoor coaster in Universal Studios Florida.
When Epic Universe opens later this month, the all-new Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry attraction should be added to the Orlando wizarding “must-do” list.
In New York City and Chicago, the Harry Potter Stores sell mini “Happee Birthdae Harry” cakes in the Butterbeer Bar.
Back to Hogwarts: September 1
September 1 is the day the Hogwarts Express departs from Platform 9 ¾ to take students back to school for a new term, and park guests who visit Universal Orlando for Back to Hogwarts can ride the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross to Hogsmeade (and back).
During Back to Hogwarts, the parks also debuts the latest and greatest school supplies for each Hogwarts House: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff.
Be sure to pose for photos with a wizarding conductor in front of the Hogwarts Express at both Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Hollywood, before heading back to Hogwarts yourself to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
If you happen to be in London on Back to Hogwarts Day (or any other day), you can pose for a photo at Platform 9 3/4 in King’s Cross Station (no train ticket required). There’s a shop next to the photo op that sells some of the wizarding world merch you can find in the theme parks, but a few London-exclusive items as well.
Happy “Insert IP Here” Day!
While not necessarily official holidays, there are several IP “holidays” throughout the year when fans show up in the parks to share their love of favorite stories and characters.
Mario Day: March 10
Nintendo first wished everyone a happy MAR10 Day in 2015, and has continued to expand the celebration to include sweepstakes, game releases, special in-game bonuses and in-app events, and discounted game titles.
If you love Nintendo, you won’t want to miss the chance to spend Mario Day in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood (and after May 22 at Universal Epic Universe), where you can be immersed in the colorful and kinetic world of Nintendo video games, especially when riding Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (in both Hollywood and Orlando) and Yoshi’s Adventure and Donkey Kong: Minecart Madness in Orlando.
This year, to mark the holiday’s 10th anniversary, Nintendo introduced a sweepstakes on My Nintendo, with the winner receiving a trip for four to the new Super Nintendo World at Universal Epic Universe (you can enter HERE until June 30).
Mario fans can also visit the only two official Nintendo Stores in the U.S., the flagship store in New York and the second location opening May 15, 2025, in San Francisco. You can enter for chance to attend the store’s grand opening HERE.
Find out more about Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe here:
Epic Universe Super Nintendo World Guide – Mario, Donkey Kong, Yoshi & More Inside!
And read all about Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood here:
Let’s-a-Go! Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates One Year of Super Nintendo World
Simpsons Day: April 19
The first episode of “The Simpsons” aired April 19, 1987 on “The Tracey Ullman Show,” making April 19 the perfect day to celebrate America’s favorite yellow family—and especially in Springfield at Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Studios Florida.
Currently in its 36th season, “The Simpsons” is the longest-running prime time animated series and longest running sitcom in the U.S.; in 2010, it also earned the record for longest-running American prime time scripted television series (surpassing Gunsmoke). On March 18, 2025, Disney+ announced a new 24/7 “always-on Stream,” with 767 episodes of “The Simpsons” across seasons 1-35 programmed in chronological order at launch, a total of nearly 300 continuous hours.
And even more great news for Simpsons fans is that the show has recently been renewed for 4 more seasons… taking it through 2029 (and its 40th season!)
After 36 years on the air, the show has fans of all ages, and on Simpsons day, they can all celebrate together at Universal theme parks by indulging in a hearty Krusty Burger, a cold Duffs Beer, a massive pink Lard Lad donut, and taking a spin on The Simpsons Ride—though probably best not in that order.
Stitch Day: June 26
Stitch Day (6/26) has become a popular way for fans of Experiment 626 from “Lilo and Stitch” to celebrate their favorite blue alien. Disney has even jumped on the Stitch Day bandwagon (or should we say surfboard?) with Stitch merchandise.
On May 23 (just in time for Stitch Day 2025), “Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Blast” will return to Tomorrowland Terrace in Disneyland Park, where Stitch throws a space-themed soiree featuring his favorite tunes, dance moves, and surprises (available most nights).
If you happen to be vacationing at the Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii on June 26th, be sure to wish Stitch a Happy Stitch Day!
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Let’s Hear From You!
Which fake theme park holidays make your list?
Have you considered shifting your theme park visits from the holidays to the “holidays”? Have you visited Disneyland for Star Wars Day or celebrated a Harry Potter holiday in Hogsmeade? Which other IP holidays would you like to see celebrated at Disney and Universal parks? Let us know in the comments!
